Jose Perez

Deputy Chief
Central Bureau

emailDeputy Chief Jose Perez was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised in a Catholic, Puerto Rican home, with Spanish as the primary language. His career path was established while he was in second grade when he assisted a Chicago Police Officer with an investigation. While at school, his teacher was the victim of a crime. “Little Jose” translated information between the police and a fellow Spanish-speaking classmate who had witnessed the crime. The officer was so impressed with Jose that he spoke to him about a future career as a Police Officer. Jose felt a sense of pride, knowing he had helped another. From then on, Jose knew he would have a positive and meaningful role in law enforcement. Upon graduating from St. Gregory High School in Chicago, he joined the U. S. Marines. He was stationed in Southern California, where he met his wife, Debbie. Subsequent to completing his military tour, he returned to Illinois with his wife. He then began his law enforcement career in a suburban town in Chicago. After seven years of harsh winters, he and his wife returned to sunny Southern California. In the fall of 1983, Jose Perez began his career with the Los Angeles Police Department. Deputy Chief Perez was appointed to the Los Angeles Police Department in November 1983. As a Police Officer and Training Officer, he worked various assignments such as Rampart and Southwest Patrol, Southwest Vice and Special Problems Unit, West Bureau CRASH, and Southwest Detectives. He then promoted to the rank of Sergeant, with five years on the job. As a Sergeant, he was assigned to Hollenbeck Area for 11 years. His assignments included Area Watch Commander, Officer-in-Charge of Hollenbeck Vice, and Senior Lead Officer Supervisor. He also assisted in the community where he filled in for Santa Claus when Santa was unavailable. Deputy Chief Perez promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2001. His assignments included Rampart Patrol, Detectives and the Gang Impact Team. He left Rampart to become the Commanding Officer of Newton Detective Division. His last assignment, at the rank of Lieutenant, was the very prestigious Adjutant to Deputy Chief Michel Moore at Operations-West Bureau. In May 2005, he promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to Northeast as the Patrol Commanding Officer. He left Northeast in July 2006 to become the Assistant Commanding Officer of Rampart Area. Deputy Chief Perez returned to Northeast as the Area Commanding Officer on May 1, 2007. On April 1, 2008, Captain Perez promoted to Commander and was selected to be the Department’s Employee Relations Administrator. Two years later, Deputy Chief Perez was selected to replace his friend and mentor, retiring Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, as the Commanding Officer of Operations-Central Bureau. Deputy Chief Perez lives with his wife and spends much of his time with family, enjoying horseback riding. He has also taken up photography to capture delightful memories he shares with his family. He and his wife recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary.